Skipper's ton can't halt the league leaders

Table-topping Dartmouth still extended their lead at the top of the Premier Division with a thrilling three-wicket win.

Opener Wright hit 147 not out from 169 balls as Himley posted 256-6 in their 55 overs, but Dartmouth replied with 260-7, claiming victory with seven balls to spare.

Wright's ton, which included more than 100 runs in boundaries with 20 fours and four sixes, was the highlight of a tight game.

The visiting skipper added 118 for the sixth wicket with Stuart Wedge (45), with Dartmouth skipper Kadeer Ali claiming two wickets and pulling off a run-out.

Nathan Round then took 3-54 as Himley claimed regular wickets but Dan Bassett (43) and Aqsad Ali (44) led the way as Dartmouth got home.

They extended their lead to 21 points with second-placed Berkswell losing to Walmley and third-placed Barnt Green having to settle for a winning draw against Kenilworth Wardens.

Himley remain bottom, 35 points adrift of the safety line.

A four-wicket haul from Josh Bowker helped third-from-bottom Walsall to a vital seven-wicket win against fourth-placed Brockhampton.

Bowker led the way as Brockhampton were dismissed for 129 and an unbeaten 62 from James Middleton saw Walsall home, as they made 131-3 inside 26 overs.

Kidderminster Victoria remain in the bottom two, despite an impressive all-round performance from Neil Pinner guiding them to a winning draw against Knowle & Dorridge.

Pinner top-scored with 76 and was aided by Matt Pardoe (69) and Craig Wood (63) as Kidderminster posted 332-3.

But they fell three wickets short of victory as Mike Hill's 104 enabled K&D to make 217-7 despite Pinner's 3-49.

Penkridge lost ground to leaders Leamington in Division Two as they were forced to settle for a losing draw against Water Orton.

Water Orton made 308-6 and Penkridge were left to hang on with 178-9 in reply, Rana Hassan hitting 79.

Brewood lost ground on the leading sides as Stourbridge halted their recent slide with a four-wicket win.

Imran Mussadaq took 5-43 as Brewood dismissed Stourbridge for 138 despite 31 from Dave Wedge.

Audy Alexander (42 not out) and Steve Game (40) then guided Stourbridge to victory with Robbie Byrne taking 4-41 for Brewood.

Halesowen were skittled for 96 in a 112-run defeat to Leamington.

Richard Brooker took 6-75 as Halesowen dismissed the leaders for 208, but they could not make triple figures in reply.

By Steve Madeley